Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-03-04
C0REAN BELIEFS.
Queer Superstitions of the People Soaring
the Cholera God

Queer SuperstitiOns of the People Soaring
the Cholera God.
When cholera was raging in Corea last
summer 1t was supposed to have been ar
rested by the successful efforts of the
people in firing guns at tie cholera god
Tor devil), writes q Seoul correspondent
of the San Francisco Chronicle. The di-
sease did stop its ravages very suddenly,
and If the ravages had faith enough in
their method of treating it to carry it cut
faithfully 1t Is but natural to suppose
that they would ascrlhe the successful re-
suits to their vigorous treatment. Re-
Gently three soldiers doing duty at the
palace lost their hair in a mysterious way,
and as the same experience has since
fallen to others ii has cPused great con-
sternatlon. The hair ig worn in a little
knot on top of the head. The knot is q
sign of manhood, as all boys and un-
married men wear their hair in a braid
down their backs. 1t is first put up when
the young man is betrothed, and is ever
afterward tended with great care. To
loose this coil is a sad affliction, but the
unaccountable manner in which men are
now loosing their hair becomes a cause of
national anxiety and shame, as well as
distress to the individual. As the occur
renee is still taking place and no visible
cruise can be discovered, it has been as
cribed to an evil spirit, Consequently
the artillery is again called into reauisi-
ton and the music of the gatling gun is
enough TO lead one to suppose the city to
be IN state of siege. This may seem to
be trltiing matter, yet great crises have
arisen from ne greater causes. Should,
for instance, this occurrences be ascribed
to the disgust of the gods with his peo-
pie (Coreans) for associating with short
haired foreigners, the intelligent broad
minded king and progressive party would
have trouble in restraining the masses
from doing violence to the people whom
they believe to be bringing disgrace with
their presence in the country.
For three years past the harvests have
been very poor. Extravaganza in pur-
chasing foreign articles and establishing
modern institutions has plunged the gov
ernment into state of Indebtedness that
can only be relieved by opening up the
marvellous mineral wealth of the country
This could not be done, however, at once
and In the meantime the prospects for
good harvest during the past season
were very poor for a while and at the
same time thousands were dying from
among themselves, and it was readily re-
membered that the poor harvests, indept-
edness, riots, etc, had all happened since
the advent of foreigners and the conclu-
sion of treaties. 1t was not strange,
then, that the i'll luck was all ascribed to
the strange westerners, and it might have
gone i'll with US had not the cholera god
been scared away and the rains checked
by the efforts of the people. As it is,
such rich harvest has not been had for
years, and as matters, political and So
clal,are looking up,the reputation of for
eiguers has been saved.
The queen dowager is not particularly
fond of outsiders, and seems afraid of
their evil influence. The royal funeral
trappings are kept in go downs built on
lot which occupies very fine site at the
rear of the various legations. The place
has been wanted by several foreigners,
and in one case the government desired
to place the property at the disposal of
the applicant, but the queen dowager (who
is so years of age) firmly refused to have
the funeral goods moved lest the Waiter
might make case of their being used, and
as she was the nearest to the grave, she
feared such a desecration might bode i'll
to her. In few days occurs the birthday
of this notable body. As usual iprepara-
tions were being made for grand
function, with audiences and banquets for
the foreigners, but is stated these prep
arations have all ceased owing to the oc-
currance of a thunderstorm. Astrologer.
say that when a thunder storm occurs in
the tenth moon it indicates change in
dynasty or death in the royal family.
The queen is quite superstitious and re-
tfyfa al nI.c
The king, on the contrary, is eminentIy
practical, and seems fond of learning the
true inwardness of things. As people,
tht Coreans are not morbidliy supersti-
cious. They seem mora free from this
failing than the Chinese, and custom has
far greater hold upon them than super
stitiOn or reIiDiou